Dynamic splinting in wrist extension following distal radius fractures
© Berner and Willis; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2010
Received: 5 January 2010
Accepted: 6 August 2010
Published: 6 August 2010
Wrist flexion contracture is a common pathology which presents secondary to distal radius fractures. Joint stability, restoration and early mobilization are frequently achieved through surgical treatment after such an injury. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the initial effect of dynamic splinting on wrist extension (active range of motion), in both surgical and non-surgical patients following distal radius fractures.
Records were obtained from 133 patients who were treated with a Wrist Extension Dynasplint (WED) following distal radius fractures, between May 2007 and May 2009. Forty-two of these patients received surgical treatment for their fractures. This study specifically examined the initial usage of the WED as a home therapy. The retrospective analysis included categorization of patients who received the WED exclusively vs. patients who received WED treatment with concurrent hand therapy; surgical categorization included surgical patients vs. nonsurgical patients.
There was a significant improvement in maximal active range of motion (AROM) for all patients (P < 0.0001) after a mean duration of 3.9 weeks of dynamic splinting. Patients showed a mean 62% increase in active extension. There was not a significant difference between patients who had received surgical treatment for the fracture vs. nonsurgical.
This dynamic splinting modality contributed 138 to 185 hours of stretching at the end range of motion for these patients in their first month following fracture. This unique regime is considered directly responsible for significant gains in AROM.
Contracture is seen commonly following Distal Radius Fractures (DRF), and surgical management is being used on an increasing number of DRF patients [1, 2]. Greater frequency of surgical procedures may come from the desire to help patients restore stability, correct articular malalignment, and regain mobility more expediently [3–7].
Patient satisfaction through increased joint mobility has been the primary outcome measure in numerous studies that examined the current therapeutic protocols for treating DRF [8–13] and protocols supplemented with prolonged durations of therapeutic stretching [14–19]. Franco et al conducted a randomized, cross-over, cohort study of 45 asymptomatic patients treated with static splints (which restricts mobility similar to immobilization) . After treatment in a restrictive, static splint, Franco et al concluded that immobilization creates incrementally significant functional limitations.
Prolonged stretching has been shown to have a significant effect on connective tissue in molecular examination  and clinical trials [18, 19]. Dynamic splinting employs passive, prolonged stretching which has proven responsible for contracture reduction in other joints and pathologies [13–16]. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the initial effect of dynamic splinting on wrist extension (active range of motion), in both surgical and non-surgical patients following distal radius fractures.
Materials and methods
Surgical Patients (%)
53 ± 17.6
Pts who had Physical Therapy (%)
Each patient initially wore the WED for 4-6 continuous hours at an initial tension setting of #2 (0.1 foot pounds of torque). This duration was for acclimatization to the system; then patients were instructed to wear the WED system at night while sleeping for 6-8 hours of continuous wear. After each patient was comfortable wearing the unit for one week at tension level #2, they were instructed to increase the tension level to #3 (0.3 ft lbs.) and make continual increases every two weeks. If prolonged soreness followed a session (soreness for more than 15 minutes) the patient was instructed to decrease the tension one half a setting for two days until they were comfortable wearing it for 6-8 hours at the new tension setting. The majority of all patients reached level #5 (0.8 foot pounds of torque) by the end of two months. All range of motion measurements were recorded by the prescribing clinician.
The dependent variable in this study was the change in wrist extension AROM and the independent variables were the patient treatment categories, post surgical vs. non surgical and concurrent physical therapy plus WED vs. exclusive WED treatment. Statistical data analysis was accomplished using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Post-hoc T-tests. Data analysis was done independently by Dr. Ram Shanmugam, a biostatistics professor at Texas State University, San Marcos, TX.
This modality was responsible for regaining 62% increased active range of motion which will directly affect function. The efficacy of dynamic splinting for contracture reduction was similar to results from the Carpal Tunnel study by Berner and Willis. The results of that study showed efficacy of dynamic splinting in reducing symptoms from carpal tunnel syndrome . The outcome measured changes in Levine-Katz function/pain survey and nerve conduction, which showed statistically significant differences  The benefits of WED in this retrospective cohort study were comparable to results seen in a case report on dynamic splinting for contracture following radial nerve injury . McKee and Nguyen's case described a 76 year old patient who suffered a radial nerve injury following a shoulder replacement. They found that dynamic splinting helped this patient regain motor functions that were previously disabled by the excessive wrist flexion contracture . Molecular analysis has proven prolonged stretching responsible for connective tissue elongation [14–16], as employed in dynamic splinting.
The lack of difference between surgical patients vs. non surgical patients supports the hypothesis that contracture was caused by the combined effect of the distal radius fracture and the associated soft tissue injury. Several manuscripts have recommended studies examine increases in function following treatment for a distal radius fracture [1–3]. The duration of WED treatment ranged from 3 to 20 weeks and the mean duration may be skewed because of patients who discontinued using the WED in less than two months, after full ROM was restored.
The physical therapists were not blinded so their methods included the WED as the primary stretching protocol; therefore the therapists spent more time on higher therapeutic protocols for weight bearing, load bearing, and dexterity. Time saved in manual stretching due to the assistance of the dynamic splint was often dedicated to motor dexterity training for handwriting. Since there was not a significant difference with physical therapy, each surgeon should examine the specific needs. In this study the Medicare co-payment for each patient included $20/mo for the WED vs. $200 to $500/mo in co-payments for PT 3/wk. That savings would be substantial for the patients and insurance providers.
The limitations of this study include lack of a control arm. While duration from fracture to contracture was not categorized, all patients were fit with WED within one week from diagnosis of wrist flexion contracture, secondary to DRF. Clinicians often discredit case series manuscripts because such studies lack control group(s) and can have selection bias. However, this study did examine different cohort treatment groups (surgical vs. nonsurgical and physical therapy with dynamic splinting vs. exclusive dynamic splinting) . This study was independent of "measurement bias" because all measurements used in data analysis were taken by clinicians, before initiation of this retrospective investigation.
Kooistra et al wrote a detailed description of the strengths and weaknesses of Case Series studies where they described that such studies can effectively generate a hypothesis for future controlled trials and prove safety of a new protocol . They also described that a retrospective design more clearly reflects what is seen in routine clinical practice because treatment selection was chosen by the surgeon and patient, not by a randomized table. This fact is the cornerstone to their proclamation that retrospective cohort series studies have high external validity .
This retrospective study on WED for contracture reduction, secondary to DRF showed safety as there was only 1 in 133 incidence of skin breakdown and no report of significant adverse events from these treatments. This study was the first investigation of dynamic splinting for contracture reduction following distal radius fractures, and the authors recommend this work be followed by a randomized, controlled trial to measure empirical efficacy of this modality in contracture reduction.
The authors wish to thank Dr Willis' assistant Brook Fowler, CCRP for her efforts in coordinating confidential patient records and manuscript reviews.
- Fanuele J, Koval KJ, Lurie J, Zhou W, Tosteson A, Ring D: Distal radial fracture treatment: what you get may depend on your age and address. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2009, 91 (6): 1313-9. 10.2106/JBJS.H.00448.PubMed CentralView ArticlePubMed
- Koval KJ, Harrast JJ, Anglen JO, Weinstein JN: Fractures of the distal part of the radius. The evolution of practice over time. Where's the evidence?. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008, 90 (9): 1855-61. 10.2106/JBJS.G.01569.View ArticlePubMed
- Lucado AM, Li Z, Russell GB, Papadonikolakis A, Ruch DS: Changes in impairment and function after static progressive splinting for stiffness after distal radius fracture. J Hand Ther. 2008, 21 (4): 319-25. 10.1197/j.jht.2008.01.002.View ArticlePubMed
- Franko OI, Zurakowski D, Day CS: Functional disability of the wrist: direct correlation with decreased wrist motion. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2008, 33 (4): 485-92. 10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.01.005.View Article
- Nagy L: Salvage of post-traumatic arthritis following distal radius fracture. Hand Clin. 2005, 21 (3): 489-98. 10.1016/j.hcl.2005.03.005. Handoll HH, Huntley JS, Madhok R. Different methods of external fixation for treating distal radial fractures in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jan 23;(1):CD006522View ArticlePubMed
- Lutz M, Rudisch A, Kralinger F, Smekal V, Goebel G, Gabl M, Pechlaner S: Sagittal wrist motion of carpal bones following intraarticular fractures of the distal radius. J Hand Surg [Br]. 2005, 30 (3): 282-7. Epub 2005 Apr 8View Article
- Rein S, Schikore H, Schneiders W, Amlang M, Zwipp H: Results of dorsal or volar plate fixation of AO type C3 distal radius fractures: a retrospective study. J Hand Surg [Am]. 2007, 32 (7): 954-61. 10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.05.008.View Article
- Chung KC, Haas A: Relationship between Patient Satisfaction and Objective Functional Outcome after Surgical Treatment for Distal Radius Fractures. J Hand Ther. 2009, 22 (4): 302-7. 10.1016/j.jht.2009.04.007. quiz 308. Epub 2009 Jun 26PubMed CentralView ArticlePubMed
- Wilcke MK, Abbaszadegan H, Adolphson PY: Patient-perceived outcome after displaced distal radius fractures. A comparison between radiological parameters, objective physical variables, and the DASH score. J Hand Ther. 2007, 20 (4): 290-8. 10.1197/j.jht.2007.06.001.View ArticlePubMed
- Shin EK, Jupiter JB: Current concepts in the management of distal radius fractures. Acta Chir Orthop Traumatol Cech. 2007, 74 (4): 233-46.PubMed
- Watt CF, Taylor NF, Baskus K: Do Colles' fracture patients benefit from routine referral to physiotherapy following cast removal?. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2000, 120 (7-8): 413-5. 10.1007/PL00013772.View ArticlePubMed
- Maciel JS, Taylor NF, McIlveen C: A randomised clinical trial of activity-focussed physiotherapy on patients with distal radius fractures. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2005, 125 (8): 515-20. 10.1007/s00402-005-0037-x. Epub 2005 Oct 22View ArticlePubMed
- McKee P, Nguyen C: Customized dynamic splinting: orthoses that promote optimal function and recovery after radial nerve injury: a case report. J Hand Ther. 2007, 20 (1): 73-87. 10.1197/j.jht.2006.11.013.View ArticlePubMed
- Willis B, Gaspar P, Neffendorf C: Device and Physical Therapy to Unfreeze Shoulder Motion. BioMechanics. 2007, 14 (1): 45-49.
- Berner SH, Willis FB: Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Dynasplint: a Randomized, Controlled Trial. Journal of Medicine. 2008, 1 (1): 90-94.
- Lai JM, Francisco GE, Willis FB: Dynamic splinting after treatment with botulinum toxin type-A: A randomized controlled pilot study. Adv Ther. 2009, 26 (2): 241-8. 10.1007/s12325-008-0139-2. Epub 2009 Feb 4View ArticlePubMed
- Avela J, Kyröläinen H, Komi PV: Altered reflex sensitivity after repeated and prolonged passive muscle stretching. J Appl Physiol. 1999, 86 (4): 1283-91.PubMed
- Abellaneda S, Guissard N, Duchateau J: The relative lengthening of the myotendinous structures in the medial gastrocnemius during passive stretching differs among individuals. J Appl Physiol. 2009, 106 (1): 169-77. 10.1152/japplphysiol.90577.2008.View ArticlePubMed
- Usuba M, Akai M, Shirasaki Y, Miyakawa S: Experimental joint contracture correction with low torque, long duration repeated stretching. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2007, 456: 70-8. 10.1097/BLO.0b013e31803212bf.View ArticlePubMed
- Kooistra B, Dijkman B, Einhorn TA, Bhandari M: How to design a good case series. J Bone Joint Surg [Am]. 2009, 91 (Suppl 3): 21-6. 10.2106/JBJS.H.01573.View Article
This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.